Washington -- Wednesday might go down as New Orleans Day at the White House. Twenty two students from the city's Batiste Cultural Arts Academy will participate in a Black History Month panel discussion with cast and crew of the 2012 movie "Beasts of the Southern Wild,' directed by New Orleans transplant Benh Zeitlin.

Michelle Obama, shown during a visit to Slidell's Brock Elementary School back in 2010, will meet with New Orleans students Wednesday at the White House. Scott Threlkeld, The Times-Picayune

The event, which will take place in the White House's ornate State Dining room, is slated to include introductory remarks from First Lady Michelle Obama.

The Batiste students are excited about the chance to meet Mrs. Obama, as well as the star of the inspirational movie, Quvenzhane Wallis, who plays six-year-old Hushpuppy. Hushpuppy, the movie's heroine, displays remarkable fortitude in helping her Bayou family through all sorts of obstacles.

It was shot in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Although it takes place in a fictional community, the film was shot South of Houma.

"We are grateful that the First Lady invited our students to participate in this special program," said Gary Robichaux, executive director of the charter management organization ReNew, which operates Batiste Cultural Arts Academy, a 600-student K-8 school.

The students are excited.

"I know New Orleans has a lot of negative things going on, and this is a chance to see something positive," said Algernon Jacques, 12, a 7th grader after touring the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Algernon hopes to ask Mrs. Obama for suggestions "on how to do well in life."

Jamie Graham, 14, an eighth grader, hopes the First Lady will bring her husband President Barack Obama for a visit.

"I always wanted to know her and the president," Jamie said.

Paul Batiste, founder of the Batiste Brothers Band who helped found the school located at the former Live Oak Elementary School, said he's thrilled the students are getting a chance to meet the First Lady, along with a behind the scenes look at America's most famous house.

"I can't tell how excited I am that our students are getting this opportunity," Batiste said. "The students have come a long way."

Last year, the K-8 charter school was selected as one of eight schools nationally to participate in a Turnaround Arts program, a two-year initiative designed to show how involvement in the arts can boost grades, graduation rates and civil engagement. The school was selected among dozens of competitors by the President's Committee on the Arts.

Rachel Goslins, the committee's director, will moderate the White House discussion Wednesday.

According to the White House, "Beasts of the Southern Wild" offers inspirational themes that students can apply to their own lives.

In addition to the New Orleans students, also attending will be middle school students form Washington D.C. public schools.